Omega Flight #3 - Whole Lotta Nothing Going On

[vbartilucci]

If I'd wanted a Wrecking Crew miniseries, I'd have asked for it.

So far every issue of this has been people saying they don't want to be involved with Alpha (or Omega, or whatever) Flight any more. And then they go to other places to say it again. Now they're getting on a plane to say it. And the guy in the Lectermobile cries alone.

Not quite a good way to convince me that a continuing series would be a fun thing to read.

I'm starting to feel like Larry Miller's bit about a bad relationship - "Hm, this milk is sour. Well, maybe it'll be fresh tomorrow."

Am I alone on this?

[IvCNuB4]

I've flipped through the first couple issues but it didn't grab me, so I put them back on the shelf.

Your mileage may vary ....

[Grievous]

If I'd wanted a Wrecking Crew miniseries, I'd have asked for it.

So far every issue of this has been people saying they don't want to be involved with Alpha (or Omega, or whatever) Flight any more. And then they go to other places to say it again. Now they're getting on a plane to say it. And the guy in the Lectermobile cries alone.

Not quite a good way to convince me that a continuing series would be a fun thing to read.

I'm starting to feel like Larry Miller's bit about a bad relationship - "Hm, this milk is sour. Well, maybe it'll be fresh tomorrow."

Am I alone on this?


Can't help but Blaming you dude for picking it up in the first place.

Historically, X-men and avengers are the only marvel team books that work and last.

[Ravager]

Can't help but Blaming you dude for picking it up in the first place.

Historically, X-men and avengers are the only marvel team books that work and last.

And FF.
<aaaa>

[Grievous]

And FF.
<aaaa>

Defo Fantastic four, numbers wise anyway, i can't tell you how good or great that book ever was.

[Speedball93]

I don't know how much of this is really to blame on the writer or if it should fall on Marvel. This book started as an ongoing monthly series and was written as such. They then pulled the plug and said you gotta do it in 5 issues. How much re-writing can he do to make this story work in just 5 issues and still come out on time? This first arc would of most likely been 6 issues , 3 to set it up and 3 to bring it home. Now he has to pray he can get it all in in 5. If it fails, I know who I am going to finger point at.

[azith]

Do it for Bill! Buy the damn book!!!

Im putting up with a bunch of annoying americans and canooks (and a hot indian) just to support Bill, you can too!

[XtremeX]

Couldn't get into it after the first issue, sounds like I'm not missing anything.

[McMonkey Nut]

Yeah I was really excited about this book and truthfully have been very disappointed. So far the team has yet to even get together and there are only 2 issues left in the series, doesn't seem like a lot of time to really make that have any kind of impact. I think the above poster that stated it was originally slated as an ongoing series and then forced into becoming a mini, has alot to do with this. I doubt we'll be seeing an ongoing after this, and thats sad because I think this creative team had some great ideas but weren't given a chance to bring them to the pages.

[I am MODOK]

I can't pass up this artwork, so I'll see the series through. I actually liked the first issue.

[vbartilucci]

This book started as an ongoing monthly series and was written as such. They then pulled the plug and said you gotta do it in 5 issues.

I coulda sworn it went from mini to continuing to mini again, but I could be mistaken.

But even still, I can't get used to this idea that it takes five (or in JLA's case EIGHT) issues to form a team.

I don't see how (or why) they couldn't do a solid get-together story in say, two issues, then three issues of team against bad guys, and still have time to toss in a little bit of foreshadowing that could be picked up on later.

Heck, the Avengers got together in one issue. So did the original Alpha Flight. It really doesn't have to take that long to tell an origin story.

I know, they have to have enough for the trade. But why is it so out of favor to try to tell three fast little stories in a trade, as opposed to one bloated plodding one? More value, it seems to me.

[Garry/Al-Fan]

I don't know how much of this is really to blame on the writer or if it should fall on Marvel. This book started as an ongoing monthly series and was written as such. They then pulled the plug and said you gotta do it in 5 issues. How much re-writing can he do to make this story work in just 5 issues and still come out on time? This first arc would of most likely been 6 issues , 3 to set it up and 3 to bring it home. Now he has to pray he can get it all in in 5. If it fails, I know who I am going to finger point at.

Omega Flight has a severe structural problem between the words and the pictures. They are not working together effectively enough.

(1) Agent Brown was charged by The Prime Minister to put a team together that would defend canada from invading hordes of criminals like Daisy and The Wrecking Crew, but instead of dressing down Talisman and USAgent to get them to see the true big picture (saving peoples lives), all he does is make a weak defense of why Pointer should be on the team. His inability to stand up to either Talisman or USAgent isn't surprising because he didn't stand up to Tony (Iron Man) Stark, either [see # 1].

(2) Although I agree with Talisman's argument against Pointer, if Sasquatch was beaten by the Crew before they got the powerboost, and Wrecker is crowbarring the heck out of Beta Ray Bill after the powerboost, I just don't see what she expects to accomplish by herself (or with Arachne and USAgent). And since neither Snowbird nor Shaman('s Ghost) made an appearance, there is nothing to foreshadow that goodness and right have a glimmer of hope of prevailing.

(3) On a more personal note, I wish Talisman had acknowledged all of her fallen former teammates (like Judd, Heather) instead of just her father, by saying "Agent Brown, what have you done to my friends' legacy?", because, let's face it, Elizabeth has some issues with her father and he wasn't the founder of Alpha Flight.

Making this an ongoing when the approach to this comic seems to be "Let's just get this thing out there and call it a month."

[eypcrew]

Do it for Bill! Buy the damn book!!!

Im putting up with a bunch of annoying americans and canooks (and a hot indian) just to support Bill, you can too!



Can we petition for a Beta Ray Bill solo ongoing?

[USAgent]

At this point, I'm underwhelmed. I was so pumped for the book, maybe my expectations were too high. But I'm a little disappointed that the characters I like the most haven't really done much (Agent, Arachne, Bill). And the team is just now barely together.

But maybe the series will finish with the best two issues ever, since the team is pretty much assembled now. I think the others will get their butts kicked, and at the end of #4 the new Guardian will take a stand and kick some ass, and then they will all come together and be a team in the final issue. And after that...?

I'm in it until the end.

[Rocket-man]

At this point, I'm underwhelmed. I was so pumped for the book, maybe my expectations were too high. But I'm a little disappointed that the characters I like the most haven't really done much (Agent, Arachne, Bill). And the team is just now barely together.

But maybe the series will finish with the best two issues ever, since the team is pretty much assembled now. I think the others will get their butts kicked, and at the end of #4 the new Guardian will take a stand and kick some ass, and then they will all come together and be a team in the final issue. And after that...?

I'm in it until the end.


Me? I love all the pieces. The characters are just right as far as I'm concerned--but the execution is kind of leaving me cold.

I think the writing is fine but really too decompressed and I think the art is not to my taste.

It's not clean enough for me. and sasquatch--all 10 feet --2000 pounds of him looks like puck next to these guys.

[XtremeX]

I don't know how much of this is really to blame on the writer or if it should fall on Marvel. This book started as an ongoing monthly series and was written as such. They then pulled the plug and said you gotta do it in 5 issues. How much re-writing can he do to make this story work in just 5 issues and still come out on time? This first arc would of most likely been 6 issues , 3 to set it up and 3 to bring it home. Now he has to pray he can get it all in in 5. If it fails, I know who I am going to finger point at.


The "it was supposed to be ongoing but was pulled to a mini" excuse is irrelevant to me. The first issue didn't catch me. I would have still dropped the book regardless.

[artiepants]

If I'd wanted a Wrecking Crew miniseries, I'd have asked for it.

So far every issue of this has been people saying they don't want to be involved with Alpha (or Omega, or whatever) Flight any more. And then they go to other places to say it again. Now they're getting on a plane to say it. And the guy in the Lectermobile cries alone.

Not quite a good way to convince me that a continuing series would be a fun thing to read.

I'm starting to feel like Larry Miller's bit about a bad relationship - "Hm, this milk is sour. Well, maybe it'll be fresh tomorrow."

Am I alone on this?nope. I was feeling the same , so i finally decided to drop it. sounds like i made the right move.

[RogueSmurf6]

I'm going to have to agree with everyone else. I didn't even bother reading the latest issue. It was mostly just Pointer crying about his lot in life and nobody willing to put up with his crap, followed by a quick Beta Ray Bill appearance. The Collective is not worth killing all the classic Alpha Flight characters, he just isn't. Bendis jobbed them all to make this guy 'cool', then he gets shuffled off to the side and then stuffed down Omega Flight's throat. Nobody wants him and it's an embarassment to see him in the Guardian suit, for both the characters and the reader. Having a cookie cutter government agent in a suit try to defend his placement on the team is not the way to do it, nobody ever trusts those guys.

I'm not ashamed to say that the major drawing point for me has been Beta Ray Bill. I love the guy, and I'm pretty sure it's the same with other posters here. But what do we get? He doesn't show up until the end of the third issue and just gets beaten up by the Wrecking Crew, who previously whooped on Sasquatch, my second favorite character in this title. I agree with the the guy who started the thread, if they wanted to write a Wrecking Crew story they should have just given them a book and told everybody Beta Ray Bill would guest star in it.

[Godspeed]

I've just been reading it on the stands but not buying it. There are just too many books out to pay for anything that is not top notch (though I buy a lot of crap too). The book has had a few good moments and the art isn't bad but the cast is big and filled with characters that I don't see having much chemestry. I don't get Marvels Alpha/Omega stratagey. Unlike the Avengers that have been successful with a constantly rotating cast, Alpha/Omega flight has only been successful for any amount of time with the originals. The originals are good characters with plenty of story left in them, but every creator since Byrn (and don't get me wrong I'm not one of his people) have aproched the title by completely recasting the team save one, maybe two original members.

They've put a good artist on this book and the writer can produce good comics though I wouldn't call him one of the greats. More than half the original cast could have plausible ways to have survived the collective encounter. So why the shake up? I love Beta Ray but in Canada? I dunno. I'm hoping they will impress me at some point

[varo]

the series has been solid........up until this issue. i still think overall the series is good. but another clunker like this one can spell doom for hopes of a ongoing.

[nemosdad]

I love Beta Ray but in Canada? I dunno. I'm hoping they will impress me at some point


I agree with what most of the posters are saying about this issue, except for that statement. Why does the fact that Bill is in Canada have anything to do with anything?

If Bill was in the States, would that make it different for you?

One of the things that Alpha Flight has had to fight against in all of it's iterations is that the book is set in Canada. That very idea turns off plenty of potential readers and I believe that is the reason for so many Americans on the team.

It's something I find very irritating. The only time AF was really successful was when AF was shown elsewhere in the marvel universe and potential readers got a taste of how good the book really was.(and it was good. One of the best 12 issue arcs I've ever read and continued to be good for years after.)

Anywho, I do hope the next two issues are all kinds of kick ass! I would love to see this title as an ongoing and see what it could grow into.

[Jed Saxon]

I bought it because the good Spider-Woman is in it (and Agent). And because Oeming wrote that nice little BRB limited series I liked so much.

The first story was okay, but by issue #3 I too expect some progression. Didn't happen.
It's not bad but there is just other stuff (New Warriors, Loners, Avengers: The Initiative) that ist better and hooked me from the very beginning.

[TF_Loki]

I bought it because the good Spider-Woman is in it (and Agent). And because Oeming wrote that nice little BRB limited series I liked so much.
Likewise on all counts...

The first story was okay, but by issue #3 I too expect some progression. Didn't happen.
It's not bad but there is just other stuff (New Warriors, Loners, Avengers: The Initiative) that ist better and hooked me from the very beginning.
I'd agree on Loners & A:I but I don't NW has started that well. It's well written but it's as slow as OF's first issue and we don't even know who all the team members are. Hell, so far we've seen two plus a maybe hanger on / wannabe and one potential. If it wasn't for the last page reveal being so damn intriging I'd say it's the same as OF 1.

[krimsun]

I think the writing is fine but really too decompressed .

I dropped it after #2. Love Kolins work but like a lot of Marvel projects it didn't feel like it was going to develop into a complete self contained story. It had the feeling of prequel to it. I sometimes feel, and I might be way off target, that we get these series to test the water on sales - and if they are good then we can expect another mini or ongoing. This means we have stories that start something and never finish what they start.

Having said that, if I hear good things about #4 and #5 I'll be back for the trade.

[Urthona]

While I wouldn't recommend the series to anyone, I'm enjoying it enough.

The one thing oddly "correct" about the story is that the original Alpha Flight almost never had the team assembled, it was usually just a few characters at a time.

I agree completely with Godspeed that I never understand the AF strategy from Marvel editors. They should figure out a way to rewind it to Heather, Hudson, Shaman, the Twins, Sasquatch, Puck, and Talisman from the Byrne jumpoff point. Can't they have Talisman and Snowbird somehow resurrect the team (minus Marrina who is ruined too much)

It's cool if you're a Beta Ray Bill fan or Spiderwoman fan, but Alpha Flight isn't the place for these characters. The presence of all the Americans detracts from the book. I think it is frankly insulting to Canada to have USAgent on the team.

Kolins art is great! He's a guy that I think doesn't start with a lot of god-given talent, but through sheer hardwork and dedication has become one of my favorite artists. The Great Beast looked really cool. One thing Alpha Flight had going for it was the Great Beasts, it makes sense that Canada would have these awesome nature-oriented mystical winter beasts...and gave AF one of its reasons to exist.

So...ok story, mistaken core ideas, but saving art. And yea...it does seem to be mostly about the Wrecking Crew (but they're kinda cool at least...!)

[King_Mungi]

huh? Why is everyone harping on it being slow? There has been a lot going on, and at least it won't as long to have the the team to get together as say the JLA, or New Avengers did.

[JmH Reborn]

Omega Flight-The Hudsons-Puck-Shaman=No Sale

I've skimmed through this in the LCS, just refuse to support such an embarrassing assemble of a team. Some lame ass from Alaska wearing the Maple Leaf is an embarrasment and I ain't even Canadian...I hope this book dies and painful death that way Alpha Flight can make it's comeback

[num48champ]

I was very disappointed with this issue. :(

[nemosdad]

Omega Flight-The Hudsons-Puck-Shaman=No Sale

...I hope this book dies and painful death that way Alpha Flight can make it's comeback

Problem is that if this book doesn't sell, you'll never see those characters again. At least not anytime soon. I'm amazed that any writer would let these characters slide into oblivion, yet that's what has and will happen.

[Prometheus3]

I don't know how much of this is really to blame on the writer or if it should fall on Marvel. This book started as an ongoing monthly series and was written as such. They then pulled the plug and said you gotta do it in 5 issues. How much re-writing can he do to make this story work in just 5 issues and still come out on time? This first arc would of most likely been 6 issues , 3 to set it up and 3 to bring it home. Now he has to pray he can get it all in in 5. If it fails, I know who I am going to finger point at.
Agree with you there. If this doesn't read like how it should I blame it on Marvel for screwing Oeming over by making it a miniseries at the last minute. It sounds like from interviews that he had the whole thing planned out and then he was cut off.

I agree this issue wasn't as good as the last ones and is awfully slow to develop. The art isn't great either but at least I can understand what is happening in this book unlike art is some books. Making Omega Flight into a miniseries hurt the book's quality because decompression is not one of Oeming's strengths as a writer. Cutting the book into a miniseries at the last minute forced him to rethink and change everything.

[kallup]

Issue 3 was weaker than 1 or 2, but was still a solid read for what it was, a middle chapter in a 5-chapter story.
The times have changed. We no longer see a team assembled in 1 issue, but in Omega's case, we are getting some solid character development. With most comics these days, I don't even get a feel for characters I know.
And if you think about it, Byrne did not assemble the original Alpha in one issue...they were already a team, and the backstory of the team's formation was handled in the origin back-ups through the first ten issues or so.

[RockerTodd]

I liked Omega Flight when the idea first came up. I didn't like Sasquatch getting beat down and turned into Thunderball's puppy. I don't like all the American heroes on the team. I don't understand why they couldn't find some of the Beta and Delta Flight heroes, who must be floating around somewhere.

I was pissed off when I got to the middle spread and there was a stupid Wraith/Lady Quazar advertisement ruining the art. Joe Q promised that wouldn't happen again after House of M, and promised again after Ultimate FF (or was it Ultimate Power) and he'll say it again. Obviously, marketing trumps storytelling.

I don't mind the Wrecking Crew kicking so much ass, since they were empowered by Asgardian magicks. I just don't see them dragging Sasquatch around like that. My biggest problem is that the story has no spark. I expect that we'll see Shaman return from the grave, Yoda style, to get Talisman to lighten up about the new Guardian. I'm just disappointed, since I think there was so much more potential in the premise.

[jpeso]

funny thing is if the book was a ongoing i would drop the book, but since its a mini i'll ride it out till its over..... im to far in on this slow ass story

[Auburn]

Why does the fact that Bill is in Canada have anything to do with anything?

It'd be cooler if he was out in space having cosmic adventures.

[Wild Irish]

Ok, I'm waaay off topic here, but I remember picking up Alpha Flight when I was a kid for the character "Box." At the time I was into all that Japanese Mech stuff and he was pretty cool to me. Whatever happened to him? I remember this one issue where there was this rogue mech that was about to start war with the U.S. and Box had to go kick his ass. I dunno, that's about all I remember from the original Alpha Flight.

[JayCanuck]

All things considered, I did think this was a little slow of an issue, but still an an amazing mini-series that deserves to be an ongoing. It helped develop the characters and their current mindset and brought up lots of questions, and new characters like Tanraq. I can't wait for the 4th and 5th issues :-)

BTW, here's a newsarama forum review: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=115656

And here's ComicBloc's weekly ranking (Omega Flight ranked #1): http://comicbloc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=990&Itemid=57

[nobleman]

Agree with you there. If this doesn't read like how it should I blame it on Marvel for screwing Oeming over by making it a miniseries at the last minute. It sounds like from interviews that he had the whole thing planned out and then he was cut off.

I agree this issue wasn't as good as the last ones and is awfully slow to develop. The art isn't great either but at least I can understand what is happening in this book unlike art is some books. Making Omega Flight into a miniseries hurt the book's quality because decompression is not one of Oeming's strengths as a writer. Cutting the book into a miniseries at the last minute forced him to rethink and change everything.

um...does anyone think that maybe...just maybe Marvel read Oeming's scripts and said, "people aren't going to want to read this" and made it into a mini? It's slow to develop, it's all about people saying "no, i don't want to join" and about one team of bad guys. Hell, it's barely about Canadians! Someone make a poll and see how many people would have bought this past five issues if it wasn't a mini.

[Garry/Al-Fan]

um...does anyone think that maybe...just maybe Marvel read Oeming's scripts and said, "people aren't going to want to read this" and made it into a mini? It's slow to develop, it's all about people saying "no, i don't want to join" and about one team of bad guys. Hell, it's barely about Canadians! Someone make a poll and see how many people would have bought this past five issues if it wasn't a mini.

Yes, I think someone read the scripts and came to the conclusion you stated. Something happened to turn a good start [the US Agent 8-pager in Choosing Sides] into three lackluster issues.

As of OF# 3, this is what has been presented:

Agent Brown (charged with getting a team together) - incompetent [Canadian]
Sasquatch (traumatized by his teammates' deaths & sent in alone) - ineffective [Canadian]
Talisman (self-absorbed brattiness blinding her to the bigger picture) - irrational [Canadian]
USAgent (got his shield back from Purple Man and battling Daisy) - competent [American]
Arachne (takes down Daisy) - effective [American]
Snowbird (demi-goddess) - absent
Shaman('s Ghost) - hiding
Beta Ray Bill - horsemeat

In hindsight, Talisman should have been shown taking down the thief who tried to steal her dad's medicine pouch (in # 1), so that she would have some sort of proof that---after all this time out of the superhero spotlight---she has what it takes to go after The Wrecking Crew, and the Bendis monolog for Pointer from CW:Initiative should have been worked into # 3 because that was very effective.

[nemosdad]

I wouldn't call USAgent getting his ass kicked all over the place competent. He was about to get crushed by Daisy untill Spider-woman saved his butt. Which ,I think, is exactly the point that Oeming is taking too long to get to. Team work is esential to beating threats greater than ones self.

[dorsai]

I picked up Beta Ray Bill's trade Stormbreaker over the weekend and really enjoyed it. It really cast him as a cosmic level hero who not only battles but puts up a more than respectable showing against some truly cosmic beings. For those that haven't read Stormbreaker [SPOILERS], he not only dented Galactus armor, he fought his herald to a standstill.

I liked the mini so much I was thinking of checking out Omega Flight even if Bill wasn't really doing cosmic type of stuff. Can I take from this thread that I may want to give it a pass?

[motteditor]

I liked the mini so much I was thinking of checking out Omega Flight even if Bill wasn't really doing cosmic type of stuff. Can I take from this thread that I may want to give it a pass?

I'm still holding out hope for the ending. I don't think it's so much that it's bad comics, it's just really slow in developing. I assume many of us are reading it to see the Omega Flight team and we're more than 60 percent of the way through at this point and the team isn't all together yet. I'd say flip through an issue in the store and make up your mind then. There are a lot of worse things on the shelves that you could buy, but I think there are some better choices too. Depends on how much disposable income you've got.

[Vic Vega]

To me the problem is this book would be badly decompressed even if it weren't a miniseries.

Three+ issues to assemble a team is a bit much to put up with.

And that is ignoring the severe logic problems the story has. Canada is so hard up for heroes that they need the help of Arachine and U.S. Agent? What happened to Centennial or Earthmover or Witchfire or Mannikin?

If they need a new Guardian that badly couldn't they drag Windshear out of retirement and give him a new suit instead of utilizing an unwitting mass-murderer? And they had the nerve to look surprised at Talisman's reaction to this "plan".

Since when are the Wrecking Crew this dangerous anyway? The Runaway put them away in 3 pages. Now they're beating Sasquach and Beta Ray Bill like they were rugs. The Crew's been jobbers since forever, so what's the deal?

[King_Mungi]

Common misconception the Crew are actually super strong. They have taken down Hulk, Thor, Dr.Strange, etc.

http://www.killermovies.com/forums/453738_1-recking-rew-espect-hread
===
Bah! How long did it take New Avengers, JLA to become a team?

[King_Mungi]

Ranking the Week: June 08, 2007

And the number one book this week is…

1. Omega Flight #3 (of 5): So can someone please tell me why this is not an ongoing? Yes I know I say that every month about this title but it is something that needs repeating. Michael Avon Oeming and Scott Kolins have breathed new life into the Alpha Flight mythos and it makes Omega Flight spectacular! The characters’ reaction to the “new” Guardian is very powerful as is the Guardian’s reaction to them. The Wrecking Crew are empowered this issue to continue their climb back to being villains to be reckoned with and not just second rate flunkies. The appearance of Beta Ray Bill really kicked the action into high gear, even if by the end of the issue you are left wondering if he is going to survive to see issue 4. With only two issues to go, I highly recommend that everyone take a moment and check this title out… it is sure to be an ongoing coming to you soon, or at least it should be.
====
http://comicbloc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=990&Itemid=57

[motteditor]

If they need a new Guardian that badly couldn't they drag Windshear out of retirement and give him a new suit instead of utilizing an unwitting mass-murderer? And they had the nerve to look surprised at Talisman's reaction to this "plan".

IIRC, Windshear was depowered in M-Day ... unfortunately. I always thought Hume was kind of cool. I loved his costume in the team-look/Furman days.

[Vic Vega]

IIRC, Windshear was depowered in M-Day ... unfortunately. I always thought Hume was kind of cool. I loved his costume in the team-look/Furman days.

I keep thinking his powers came from his armor-like suit. Was Purple Girl depowered too?

[motteditor]

I keep thinking his powers came from his armor-like suit. Was Purple Girl depowered too?

Not sure. I hope not. I think I actually liked the Betans more than most of the Alphans (other than Heather and Puck) and Persuasion may have been my favorite. I'd love to see one of them somehow end up on the New Warriors, though I know I'm the only one who holds them in such high esteem.

[varo]

i am really enjoying this book. the criticism of slow pace is better than a thrown together team in 1 issue and 4 issues worth of fighting and no character development.

oeming/kollins deserve a relaunch with a new #1.

[King_Mungi]

I keep thinking his powers came from his armor-like suit. Was Purple Girl depowered too?

Nope, she is still powered

[Garry/Al-Fan]

To me the problem is this book would be badly decompressed even if it weren't a miniseries. Three+ issues to assemble a team is a bit much to put up with.

And that is ignoring the severe logic problems the story has. Canada is so hard up for heroes that they need the help of Arachine and U.S. Agent? What happened... Earthmover or Witchfire...?

When Yukon Jack was mentioned instead of Earthmover in OF # 1, it was the first indication that this series wasn't going to make much sense. Moss was Shaman's protege and if Elizabeth said "no", why not look for all the other known mystics like Earthmover and Witchfire?
Personally, if Brown couldn't convince not one of the former Alpha/Beta/Gammans to defend Canada,
exactly how much skill does he really have?

Mannikin is not a favorite of mine, and so I don't see what good he would do against demons.